Aid Groups slam coalition cuts but public divided

Joe Hockey's announcement that Foreign aid spending will take $4.5 billion cut hit under a Coalition government has polarised opinion, between those who say it's economically sensible and others who believe it is cruel.

"We can only be a more generous nation to the rest of the world if we have a strong Australian economy," he said.

"And so we are reducing the growth in foreign aid by $4.5 billion over the forward estimates to fund essential infrastructure here in Australia."

The Opposition says the money will be spent on infrastructure projects, including $1.5 billion on Melbourne's East West Link, $1.5 billion on Sydney's WestConnex and another $1 billion on an upgrade to Brisbane's Gateway Motorway.

Growth in foreign aid spending will also be tied to the Consumer Price Index.

Michael Sheldrick , the WA finalist for young Australian of the Year who is currently working in New York on the Global Poverty project, told Geoff Hutchison he is appalled by the announcement.

"To be honest I can barely describe the anger and disappointment and sadness at what I think is a reckless and cruel decision to cut $4.5 billion years over four years from the Australian aid program.

"Today is the first ever international day of charity and I was at the United Nations earlier today and heard some remarkable stories of self sacrifice, moral leadership and then I come out and hear that back home we are experiencing a lack of charitable spirit.

"I think what we are seeing is money being robbed from the world's poor to fund controversial tollways.

"Foreign aid accounts for less than 1 per cent of Australia's budget but Australian's have shown time and time again in polls that actually support an increase in foreign aid.

"It's not much to us necessarily but to the world's poor it means 2.7 million children being vaccinated and it means being able to have safe access to drinking water for 2.2 million people.

"These are real lives."

On social media, ABC Local Radio listeners had were sharply divided on the issue: